Valvoline Provides Update on COVID-19

Valvoline Inc., a leading worldwide supplier of premium branded lubricants and automotive services, provided an update on the impacts of and its responses to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“In this time of unprecedented uncertainty related to the impact of the COVID-19 virus, our top priority remains the health and safety of our employees, customers and business partners,” said Sam Mitchell, CEO.

Valvoline’s company-owned and franchised Quick Lubes stores in North America are currently open and fully operational. The Company is committed to keeping as many of its stores open as possible for the communities they serve. Valvoline is also providing various types of financial assistance to support the long-term health of its Quick Lubes franchisee network through this period of uncertainty.

Quick Lubes’ store team members already have minimal contact with customers through the Company’s existing drive-through, stay-in-your-car service experience. Valvoline has also taken additional actions to modify in-store procedures to further reduce direct contact between store teams and customers. The Company is monitoring the situation closely and is prepared to make additional changes as necessary.

Valvoline globally is taking broader actions designed to help further prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including limiting domestic and international travel and implementing work-from-home arrangements, among others. On a positive note, in China, after a temporary suspension, construction on the lubricants plant has resumed, work-from-home protocols substantially ended earlier this month and sales trends are improving.

The Company is taking prudent and precautionary steps to enhance financial flexibility and liquidity and further strengthen its balance sheet including:

Drawing on its available credit facilities, including $450 million from its revolving credit facility and $75 million from its trade receivables securitization facility

Limiting or deferring certain non-essential operating expenses

Delaying certain capital expenditures

Valvoline ended the first quarter of fiscal 2020 with $162 million of cash and cash equivalents on its balance sheet. Following the draws on the credit facilities and inclusive of activity since the first quarter, the Company expects to have more than $750 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand and no meaningful debt maturities until 2024. With its strong balance sheet and liquidity position, management believes the Company is well-positioned to manage through a variety of down-side scenarios, including the temporary closure of many or all of its Quick Lubes stores and substantially lower volumes in its other segments.

Due to the uncertainty in the current environment, Valvoline is withdrawing its previous fiscal 2020 guidance, which did not contemplate the impacts of the COVID-19 virus. The Company will provide a business update as part of its fiscal second quarter earnings announcement.

“I want to thank the entire Valvoline team for their dedication and unwavering service to our customers and communities in this rapidly evolving environment,” Mitchell added.

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